Dancers from a Helensburgh-based studio have returned home after flying the flag for Scotland at the Dance World Cup in what was their first competition as a team.

Six pupils from The Dance Academy on East Princes Street travelled to San Sebastian in Spain to compete in the hip hop solo, duet, and team sections.

Caitlyn Brown, Ava English, Romi McKenna, Rhia Losh, Kara Crerar, and Lyla Whitfield attended the event with teachers Esmé Barr and Nicola McFall.

They were joined by dancers from across the world, with competitions taking place in a range of styles.

Esmé, who owns the school, put her girls forward after recording a video of them performing their routine in November last year.

To her surprise, the girls placed first in the Scottish qualifiers and booked their spot in Spain.

She said: “It was a dream come true for me to be honest. Because we are such a new school, I never expected us to even place in the Scottish qualifier.

“I never actually told the girls that I entered them for it – so it was a surprise for them.

“I just wanted to see how the system worked for the Dance World Cup, then I got an email to say the results were online and we’d won the Scottish qualifier."

The team, who are aged 12-14, were delighted to bring home 11th place out of 25 in the team section and were the only Scottish competitors in this category.

They now hope to return to the Dance World Cup next year, which will be hosted in Braga, Portugal.

Esmé added: “They absolutely loved it. For a couple of them it was their first time being abroad too.

“When I was a wee girl, I used to go abroad with my dance school and they’re the best memories I have from growing up.”

“This is giving them opportunities that they might not have if they didn’t come to dancing.”

The Dance Academy holds classes in Helensburgh and Old Kilpatrick, with styles including jazz, lyrical, tap, and ballet on offer, as well as gymnastics and acro.

Find out more here.